Author Background: She was born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1926. Her father was a small-town lawyer. She was best friends with Truman Capote who became a famous writer. She modeled the character Scout after herself.
Summary of Chapter 1-10:
The story starts out with Jem and Scout becoming friends with their neighbor Dill in the county of Maycomb. Where one of their neighbors are the Radleys. The Radley's have a son named Boo who never leaves the house and is suspected of eating squirals and rats, and also of stabbing his father. Then school starts and Scout goes to the first grade while Jem goes into the 6th grade. Scout's teacher is Miss Carolina, who doesn't like Scout for being able to read and write before she taught her how to read and write. Their father, Atticus who is a lawyer, is defending a black man in court. Their father is very quite and reserved about his accomplitionments. An example of this is one day a mad dog was walking the street when Atticus got the Sheriff to shoot the dog. But the Sheriff was scaried he would miss the dog so Atticus killed the dog in one shot.
Protagonist: Scout
1. Shes a girl, who has short hair. Who acts like a guy and who is shorter than her brother.
2. She doesn't like rules, she speaks her mind, she stands by her beliefs.
3. She plays alot of games with her brother, she likes to read alot, she doesn't like school.
4. She loves to read, and she hates school. She cares about her family, shes curious about Boo.
5. Her brother thinks she follows him around to much. Her first grade teacher didn't like her.
6. They play games with her. They go on advantures with her. They push her down a hill in a tire.
7. At her house playing in the backyard.
8. Shes curious, adventureous, playfull, ignorite, and respectfully.
Antagonist: BOO Radley
1. Tall, gangually, blood stanned hands, messed up teeth. We came to that conclusion because thats what rumors say he looks like.
2. We don't know yet, because Boo hasn't talked to any characters yet.
3. We think he eats rats and squirrels, and he stays in his house all the time. We came to that conclusion because that is what rumors sas he does.
4. We don't know what he thinks yet because he hasn't interacted with anybody yet.
5. That he is weird, crazy, killed a person, stabbed his dad, and eats weird things, and he might be dead.
6. His parents keep him in the house all the time, and his neighbors want him to come out of the house.
7. His house.
8. He might be crazy, weird, an outcast. We came to this conclusion because of the rumors the other characters say.
Radley House
MAD DOG
Symbolism:
The tree is a symbol of strength, power, and longevity to Atticus.
The courtroom is a symbol of knowledge and conflict within the story to Atticus and Tom.
The camellia is a symbol of forgiveness between Jem and Mrs. Dubose.
Conflicts
Person vs. society: The town is trying to convict Tom Robinson of a crime it is clear he didn't commit because he is black.
Person vs. nature: The cold forced Miss Maudie to light a fire in her stove. Her house then lit fire, and the wind almost lit the neighboring houses on fire.
Person vs. person: Jem attacked Mrs. Dubose's flowers after she made insulting comments about his father and sister.
Person vs. person: Jem and Scout are drifting apart and getting on each other's nerves a lot more often. There is some sibling rivalry between them when they play games. Jem tries to control Scout's actions more and more.
Person vs. person: Bob Ewell spit on Atticus because he made him look like an idiot in front of the court.
Person vs. person: Mayella accuses Tom of raping her even though she was the one forcing herself on him. Tom may die because of her lies.
Person vs. person: Aunt Alexandra is always trying to get Scout to look more like a lady and act like one. She disapproves of all of her habits and ideas.
To Kill a Mockingbird Questions
What elements make this a good book?
The plot was fast-paced and interesting because Harper made it unpredictable and used a lot of suspense.
What would make this book better?
The book would be better if Harper didn't spend so much time introducing us to the town and the history of Scout's family because it dragged on and was dull.
What's the one most important thing the author wants you to know?
The author wants to show that things can change unexpectedly and you should show respect to everyone no matter what their skin color or position in life may be.
What does the audience need to know to understand the book?
The audience needs to realize that the book takes place in the south, Alabama, and segregation and racism were major issues at the time.
What is your overall recommendation?
We would recommend this book because it is interesting, has a unique point of view, and has good characterization.
To Kill A Mockingbird
By: Harper Lee
Author Background: She was born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1926. Her father was a small-town lawyer. She was best friends with Truman Capote who became a famous writer. She modeled the character Scout after herself.
Summary of Chapter 1-10:
The story starts out with Jem and Scout becoming friends with their neighbor Dill in the county of Maycomb. Where one of their neighbors are the Radleys. The Radley's have a son named Boo who never leaves the house and is suspected of eating squirals and rats, and also of stabbing his father. Then school starts and Scout goes to the first grade while Jem goes into the 6th grade. Scout's teacher is Miss Carolina, who doesn't like Scout for being able to read and write before she taught her how to read and write. Their father, Atticus who is a lawyer, is defending a black man in court. Their father is very quite and reserved about his accomplitionments. An example of this is one day a mad dog was walking the street when Atticus got the Sheriff to shoot the dog. But the Sheriff was scaried he would miss the dog so Atticus killed the dog in one shot.
Protagonist: Scout
1. Shes a girl, who has short hair. Who acts like a guy and who is shorter than her brother.
2. She doesn't like rules, she speaks her mind, she stands by her beliefs.
3. She plays alot of games with her brother, she likes to read alot, she doesn't like school.
4. She loves to read, and she hates school. She cares about her family, shes curious about Boo.
5. Her brother thinks she follows him around to much. Her first grade teacher didn't like her.
6. They play games with her. They go on advantures with her. They push her down a hill in a tire.
7. At her house playing in the backyard.
8. Shes curious, adventureous, playfull, ignorite, and respectfully.
Antagonist: BOO Radley
1. Tall, gangually, blood stanned hands, messed up teeth. We came to that conclusion because thats what rumors say he looks like.
2. We don't know yet, because Boo hasn't talked to any characters yet.
3. We think he eats rats and squirrels, and he stays in his house all the time. We came to that conclusion because that is what rumors sas he does.
4. We don't know what he thinks yet because he hasn't interacted with anybody yet.
5. That he is weird, crazy, killed a person, stabbed his dad, and eats weird things, and he might be dead.
6. His parents keep him in the house all the time, and his neighbors want him to come out of the house.
7. His house.
8. He might be crazy, weird, an outcast. We came to this conclusion because of the rumors the other characters say.
Symbolism:
The tree is a symbol of strength, power, and longevity to Atticus.
The courtroom is a symbol of knowledge and conflict within the story to Atticus and Tom.
The camellia is a symbol of forgiveness between Jem and Mrs. Dubose.
Conflicts
Person vs. society: The town is trying to convict Tom Robinson of a crime it is clear he didn't commit because he is black.
Person vs. nature: The cold forced Miss Maudie to light a fire in her stove. Her house then lit fire, and the wind almost lit the neighboring houses on fire.
Person vs. person: Jem attacked Mrs. Dubose's flowers after she made insulting comments about his father and sister.
Person vs. person: Jem and Scout are drifting apart and getting on each other's nerves a lot more often. There is some sibling rivalry between them when they play games. Jem tries to control Scout's actions more and more.
Person vs. person: Bob Ewell spit on Atticus because he made him look like an idiot in front of the court.
Person vs. person: Mayella accuses Tom of raping her even though she was the one forcing herself on him. Tom may die because of her lies.
Person vs. person: Aunt Alexandra is always trying to get Scout to look more like a lady and act like one. She disapproves of all of her habits and ideas.
To Kill a Mockingbird Questions
What elements make this a good book?
The plot was fast-paced and interesting because Harper made it unpredictable and used a lot of suspense.
What would make this book better?
The book would be better if Harper didn't spend so much time introducing us to the town and the history of Scout's family because it dragged on and was dull.
What's the one most important thing the author wants you to know?
The author wants to show that things can change unexpectedly and you should show respect to everyone no matter what their skin color or position in life may be.
What does the audience need to know to understand the book?
The audience needs to realize that the book takes place in the south, Alabama, and segregation and racism were major issues at the time.
What is your overall recommendation?
We would recommend this book because it is interesting, has a unique point of view, and has good characterization.